Can Lanka break the jinx in the fourth WC final?

Colombo, Oct 5: Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene is excited about playing his fourth World Cup final, and has said the team is confident of winning the title this time around after failing on the other three occasions.

Mahela who has been a part of the playing XI on all occasions, feels the team has the ability to win the World T20 after having played a final against Pakistan in England in 2009.

Apart from playing the World T20 final 2009, Sri Lanka have reached the finals on two other occasions, as they played Australia in the 2007 ICC World Cup, and against India in World Cup 2011.

When asked about it, Mahela said he was excited about playing all the four finals.

"It's an amazing feeling," said the Sri Lankan captain.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 16 runs, to reach the finals of World T20 this year, as they will be playing against the winner of the second semifinal, West Indies-Australia, to be played on Friday at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Mahela also added that a few players have been a part of these finals and said the team feels blessed.

"We are all really happy to be part of a very successful group over a period of time."We have been blessed with four now - although I know we haven't won anything," said Mahela after defeating Pakistan by 16 runs in the semifinal on Thursday.

"But four finals, it's amazing. In one's career you are lucky enough to play in one final. We are a proud nation and everyone will be behind us on Sunday," he added.

Mahela also said that the team is planning to have a different strategy for teh final to be played on Sunday.

"They have all had to be approached in different ways," he said. "One final was in Barbados (2007), one in England (2009) and one was in Mumbai (2011).

"Now we are playing in the Premadasa, so we will approach it differently.

Talking about the pitches and the way the team prepares for the final, Mahela said that they are quite positive playing the fourth final, and the team has to adapt to all the conditions as they have been playing on three different grounds in World T20.

"We play with a very positive mindset. We spoke at the start of the tournament that we would have to play on three different surfaces in Hambantota, Pallekele and now Colombo.

"We had to adapt. It is all about handling tough situations better."

Playing at home has been a big advantage for Lanka, as they are aware of the kind of wickets offered at World T20 and have more chances against Australia and West Indies, as both struggle against spin.

Having qualified for the fourth time, can Sri Lanka break the jinx and win the title this time around?